“Seven Gates Where Angels Fall – Order of the isle.” The complete first full episode has been Released.

The final full version of Episode 1 is released and ready to watch.  I combined the new edited version of part 1 to this episode instead of releasing an edited part 1 and then part 2. This was done due to some rearrangement of scenes and dialogue changes made to the flow of the script that I felt made more sense all as one combined episode.

I learned a lot during this process and hope that it will show in episode 2. I feel that its noticeable through the first episode from beginning to end, which I feel met the goal of this being a project about learning . I also feel that it shows others its the experience of creating that matters to me. The process of taking my writing from novels to animation was a learning curve to say the least. Since I taught myself animation and studied as I worked, I found I learned a lot, so much that I cannot wait to dive into episode 2. Was it the best idea to self teach myself animation and take on a large project like this at the same time? Probably not, however for me that is  the only way I can learn and stay focused and motivated.

Many in the cast may wonder where a few scenes went. The scenes have just been moved to the beginning of Episode 2, after a few reviews of the story’s flow they seemed more appropriate at the beginning of the second episode then the ending of the first.I really want to extend a huge offering of thanks to the cast, they are awesome and extremely talented and could not have done this without their contributions. I also want to thank Dale and Alan for allowing me to use their music in this project I hope it does there amazing talent justice.

 

The look and feel of the final episode was done in an attempt to give the series it’s own feel and tone. It’s a matter of debate if I accomplished that or not. I have had lots of feedback and suggestions since the release of part 1. I worked through all of the suggestions and ideas and tried to make the needed corrections. I am also aware that somethings are a matter of personal preference and tastes. It’s my hope that everyone enjoys the episode and finds something they can take away from it.

 

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Production Update #8 – Seven Gates Where Angels Fall

I’m a tad bit late on this update. Alright I’ll admit it I’m really late on this update, however that just means there is more to talk about.

Episode one full completed version ( Part 1 and Part 2) is well under way. All the edits to part 1 are completed. Those edits being the suggestions and corrections that were given to me in response to part one. As I have said before I appreciate everyone ones input and have tried to respond as best I can. My intent with the new edits was to improve the final completed episode with as much polish as possible.

I know it seems as if I am taking forever to complete this episode and I apologize for that. I just want this project to show the progress and work that is involved and hopefully help others learn from my mistakes and fumbles along the way.

The biggest challenge is finding the right balance between what you want to do and what you can do. What I mean by that is when you write there is no limit to what you can put down on paper, but when you transfer that to the animation realm things change. You can do what ever you want in animation as well, as long as you know how to.  The only thing holding you back is your ability and to some extent the tools you are using. This is why the learning process is one of the things I have been trying to highlight through out this project.

Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. I’ve seen it to many times, so called “professionals” or experts online, instantly tearing down people who try to do something. Prove them wrong and do it, rise above and improve your abilities and skills and become whatever it is you want to be. No one can tell you what you can or can not do.  It’s all about learning from your mistakes, building on your strengths and expanding your ability. This entire project is about doing exactly that.

So with all that out of the way, on to what has been accomplished. As I said the new edits have been done. I’ll highlight a few here. The portal effect for the shifter demon has been redone and edited to fit into the look and feel of the sequence better. Some pauses between dialogue along with unnecessary poses have been removed, usually before or after  dialogue. The timing between camera transitions has also been edited. The sound track has been adjusted to accommodate the changes.

The addition of  part 2 of the episode forced me to make a few changes to the overall episode as far as where certain sequences should happen. This was because I felt it made more sense for the flow and overall feel of the episode. So the complete episode part 1 and part 2 combined will be released next as soon as I’m finish. Actual date will be posted as to when I will be releasing the full episode.

 

Production Update #7 – Seven Gates Where Angels Fall.

 

I want to start this post off with thanking everyone for the responses to the first part of Episode 1.   I started teaching myself animation in April and learned fast that their is a lot more to it than just creating the “story”. As with any other art form, there are lots of little nuances that one needs to keep in mind.

The roles you end up  playing are numerous.  You are the producer, editor, screenwriter as well as the sound engineer and animator and so on. A large scale production company with a large budget would have several people doing these individual roles. I’m not complaining at all, mind you. I’m just pointing out many of the things I was aware of but not fully aware of the complexity of each role.

With all that said I have taken the suggestions offered by many people and will do my best to incorporate them and make sure I pay attention to them moving forward. Part two is in the works and once that is finished I will post it along with a combined version of both parts into one episode.

The learning process is part of the journey and I appreciate each and every person that has joined me on this adventure.  The goal is the same, move the story and the presentation forward, progressing with each step. Learning and improving so that when looking back the progress can be seen.

So now to the what was learned part of the production post. Lots of technical things for sure as well as a need to look at fine details. It’s easy to not notice little mistakes or oversights when you are working on a large project like this. You are thinking and creating one thing while at the same time trying to look forward to what comes next. You are trying to do something new and different but at the same time want to make sure you are following what is familiar for the audience. I’m not sure if that makes sense but there it is.

Basically, remember that when you create something not everyone will like every aspect of it or see it as you do. That is human nature, I don’t like certain types of movies or tv shows, just like the next person. So when you create something and work on your own projects keep in mind you have a target audience as well as the worse critic in the world sitting next to you, yourself.

 

The two included work in progress screen shots are from the  upcoming episode 1 part 2.

 

Production Update #6 – Seven Gates – Where Angels Fall.

The first part of Episode 1 is in the editing phase. Each episode is going to be released in parts ( about 10 – 15 minutes episodes roughly). I wanted to update everyone on the progress and to let everyone know that I am working hard to get this first part out by the weekend or early next week. I just want to do my best to give the cast a platform to shine from, without their voices and ( their Music) this project would be a bunch of boring slideshow images and lots of reading.

This will be a short update since editing is not that exciting. The editing phase is where you see what works what doesn’t work and where you made mistakes. So its fix it time and recreate time for some scenes, while others might disappear all together. In a few instances moving and shuffling around of scenes and lines happen.

There is three phases of editing, the story, the sound, and the look. These are not the only ones but I just broke many steps in three phases, you do many more and all three at the same time. I know I’m not completely versed in all the nuances of editing and animation. Camera angles, aperture, when to zoom when not to. When to use this technique and so on. I’m learning though and as each episode is released I hope to have those areas improve in the end.

My goal is not to have have a cinematic or photo real animation or even a pure anime look. I’ve tried to bridge the gap and at the same time create a new look as well. There are lots of people who love computer animation and just as many who hate it. I am convinced there is a middle ground that can be achieved. Not by me but by some one at some point. The key in my mind is don’t try to force it to be something its not.

 

So in closing the time is drawing near for the first half of episode 1 to be released.

Do not take what others say and apply it to your heart. Learn and grow and realize that the way you traveled doesn’t matter once you have arrived.

 

 

 

 

Dan Pye to Narrate for Seven Gates – Where Angels Fall

I am excited to announce Dan Pye will be narrating Seven Gates – Where Angels fall. Dan will be narrating the voice of Enoch as well as the general narration of the dreaming prophet Nathan. I had mentioned a few posts earlier that I was adding a narrator 🙂

Dan’s voice acting is crazy amazing. (Ok that’s not the best sentence in world).  Check out his information below in his own words. Make sure to check out his websites and take a listen.

I’m a British Voice Over Actor, and I’ve been in the industry for almost 15 years, with education and professional acting training, I’ve worked on projects from commercials, continuity, telephone systems, radio stations and more with some of the worlds largest broadcasters and production studios, such as Universal Studios, BBC, Premier League, Syfy Channel and many more.

Specialising in Animation and Gaming, I love to get my teeth into characters, and develop them from the experiences I have had in life, and people I have met. I originally started out my career as an actor, and been able to act with just my voice, is what attracted me to voice acting. I get to build imagery, emotion, and set the scene with just one tool, which makes it so much more fun and challenging for me, and who doesn’t love a challenge right?

www.danpye.com
www.facebook.com/danpyevoiceover
www.twitter.com/danpyevoiceover

Production Update #5 – Seven Gates Where Angels Fall.

 

That time again – Production updates – I have a lot to share this time around, well its a lot to me anyways 🙂 . First off I would like to welcome a new member to the cast, Dustin Brown.  I’ll be posting a detailed post  about Dustin  shortly after this production update since I am a bit late on this one. I’m not sure if it’s really late if I’m the only one setting the time tables. However, the new cast member is exciting news.

Dustin is playing two roles! The role of  a sleepy hollow Detective named  Drew who shows up in episode two, and plays a larger role in episode three and four. The second role he will be playing is the role of the Shadow. The big nasty fallen we see in the opening credits. The shadows role in the story will become evident as time goes on and the reason  for his name as well. Yes its a generic name but there is good reason for it.

Episode 1 is progressing nicely and I anticipate the first part of the episode to be released with in the next few weeks. Part 2 of the episode will then follow as well as the next episodes and so on. I will break the episodes into parts to allow for more frequent posting and give time to work on the future ones as well.

Everyone in the cast has submitted all the lines for episodes 1 and 2 and they are awesome. Everyone involved has amazing talent that I cannot begin to express how amazing each one of them is without taking hours of your time for each one of them.

Episodes 3 and 4 are currently being written and I pray everyone wants to continue with those episodes as well. One of the reasons I will be releasing the episodes in parts to get this out there and show everyone the amazing voice talents involved.

As usual I like to point out the stumbling blocks as well as the progress. One of the current stumbling blocks I have ran into was second guessing what has been developed and or created and feeling that I need to change or add more “this” or “that” to the project. While this can help and improve a project it can also delay and ruin one. The key is to know when to change and when to not as well as when to ignore the biggest critic in the room, Yourself.

Each day is a new learning experience in the project as well as more development of the story and the quality of the product. The great part is I find I take less time getting somethings done then it use to take months ago. This is something I think everyone can benefit from remembering, and form of progress how big or small is movement in the right direction.

I’ll end this post with a simple idea to hold on to. It’s something I have been learning and dealing with and exploring more deeply. The idea is this, who we have become is not who we are. This is great news because it means you can change.

 

Production update – Seven Gates – Where Angels fall.

Casting is almost completed, and several announcements will be coming shortly for the final casting roles. I have a lot of updates and material to compile, but will post the final actors/actresses and their roles within the next few days.

The soundtrack search is now in full swing. Looking at different options for music. If possible I want the soundtrack to be a showcase and feature source for the bands and artists that are willing to contribute. That process has just started and may take a bit more time. There are many online sources for stock music available, but original songs by great bands would just be awesome in my mind. We will see though on this front. Being flexible and adapting is the key. I want this project to show others the process and even the do’s and don’ts as well ( many of the dont’s may be the case – 🙂 )

Opening sequence has been created. Next will be editing, sounds and music. Production of the first scene is well under way.  Location creation and environments have been ongoing.  When creating an animation the world building is as much part of the process as is the story. The set and stage create the atmosphere and drive the story just as much as the action and dialogue. The opening sequence is the portion before the title screen appears, in this instance. If anyone has watched the TV show supernatural, its the same as the beginning of each episode before the title flashes. I personally like that approach to creating episodes.

The following images are some screenshots from creation process with in Iclone 7. Some rendered some are not.  Iclone is a real time rendering software and much of what you see can or will be what you get, though during animation creation its best to lower the quality to fine tune. Which is what I do personally, to speed up the software’s response. When I use the term render, I am referring to generation of the final images with all lighting effects and higher quality images. ( for those unfamiliar with the term).